Apple crop expected to reach 10-year high

It's just about time for scarves, pumpkin everything, football and of course apple picking at your local orchard, and this year, farmers are promising an abundance of apples.

"Nice and juicy," Charles Koshivas said of the apples at Fairmount Fruit Farm in Franklin.

Apples of all varieties are looking great, he said. There has been plenty of water this year compared to last year, which Koshivas said is helping the fruit to grow larger and juicier.

Local farmers agree: last year was not a good growing season.

2016 stunted by drought, late freeze

According to the National Weather Service, last year's precipitation was the fourth lowest since 1997 in the Worcester area at 40.93 inches, seven inches lower than the 20-year mean.

Beginning in June, more than 90 percent of the state was under some kind of drought classification. By August, the beginning of apple season, more than 60 percent of the state was under a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.